21-07-2025 | di COOPI

Jordan. Fueling economic change through micro-entrepreneurship

Supporting economic resilience and strengthening local communities: this is the goal of Bothoor – Inclusive Growth and Development of Micro-Entrepreneurial Activities and Economic Empowerment, a project implemented by COOPI – Cooperazione Internazionale with funding from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), active across several governorates in Jordan, including Amman, Irbid, Karak, Mafraq, and Zarqa. The program focuses on Syrian refugees and vulnerable Jordanians, aiming to promote sustainable livelihoods, enhance the skills of small businesses, home-based enterprises and associations, and create productive employment opportunities that respect labor protection standards.

Among the many success stories is Ghada Almalti’s, who turned her passion and determination into a flourishing business. When Ghada joined Bothoor, she was looking for concrete support to develop her agricultural project. Today, with a work plan developed alongside COOPI, her business is thriving. On her farm, Ghada grows seasonal crops: in summer, she tends about 30 fruit trees and has introduced innovative produce like passion fruit and dragon fruit, which have been very well received. In winter, she grows spinach, chickpeas, onions and beans, ensuring production throughout the year.

I signed up and have benefited a lot."

Ghada also started a beekeeping initiative with 11 hives, producing high-quality honey that she sells locally. Her ambition is to expand her business further and create job opportunities for local youth, contributing to the area’s socio-economic growth.

One of the first tangible improvements made possible by the project was the purchase of a new water pump, which replaced her old one and significantly eased her daily work, improving efficiency.

My old water pump was worn out and this support helped me a lot: I received a new, larger pump that made my work much more efficient.”

Ghada’s story is a powerful example of how Bothoor is helping to create tangible opportunities for economic empowerment, providing vulnerable communities with the tools to strengthen their self-reliance and promote sustainable livelihoods, enabling them to look to the future with greater confidence and resilience.

Since 2017, COOPI has operated in Jordan, primarily in the governorates of Amman, Irbid, Zarqa, and Karak, recently expanding its reach to Ajloun, Jerash, Madaba, and Mafraq. In response to the massive influx of Syrian refugees and the resulting economic and social pressures, COOPI promotes social cohesion and resilience through multisectoral projects that combine child protection, education and gender-based violence prevention with economic development, entrepreneurship and psychosocial support, especially for women and vulnerable groups. Working closely with local community-based organizations ensures that services are delivered where they are most needed, reducing barriers to the socio-economic well-being of those most at risk.